BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1464

                                                                                                                                       By: Williams

Intergovernmental Relations

8/4/2009

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

A special district is needed to finance and construct the utility infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage, roads, and recreational facilities) necessary to promote the development of an area within Harris County.

S.B. 1464 creates the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 525 (district) as a political subdivision of the State of Texas.  The district will construct and finance water, sewer, drainage, road, and recreational facilities to serve property within the district, which is located partially within the corporate limits and partially within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Harris County.  The district will be a municipal utility district operating pursuant to Chapters 49 (Provisions Applicable to All Districts) and 54 (Municipal Utility Districts), Water Code.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8326, as follows:

CHAPTER 8326.  HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 525

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 525 (district).  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8326.001-8326.050);

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8326.051-8326.100);

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8326.101-8326.150); and

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8326.151-8326.203).

Prohibits the exercise of the power of eminent domain outside the district by the district to acquire a site or easement for a road project under Section 8326.103 or a recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462 (Definitions), Water Code.

SECTION 2.  Sets forth the initial boundaries of the district.

SECTION 3.  Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.